Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries

The Charlottetown Fire Department would like to remind the public that on Sunday, March 10, clocks will need to be adjusted one hour ahead for daylight savings time.

The Fire Department encourages residents to use this change as a reminder to change batteries in their smoke alarms, update their smoke alarms, or install new systems. Batteries should be replaced every six months, and there should be a working smoke alarm in every sleeping room and every level of the home.

During this changeover, it is also important to know where and how to store depleted or near dead batteries to prevent fires. Nine-volt batteries are not to be stored with paper clips, coins, pens, or other batteries. Wool and aluminum foil should also be kept away as these items, as any of these can touch the two posts of the battery and cause a short circuit, igniting a flame.

Batteries should be stored standing up, without other types of batteries in the same drawer with them. New batteries should be kept in the original packaging or covered with masking tape if loose. Batteries should not be thrown away with trash, and should be taken to collection sites after the posts have been covered by masking or electrical tape.

The Charlottetown Fire Department, along with North River and Crossroads Fire Departments, will be set up at the PEI Provincial Home Show taking place this weekend from March 8 – 10 at the Charlottetown Eastlink Centre. Firefighters and staff will be giving out batteries for smoke detectors (maximum 100 available per day), as well as valuable lifesaving information. For hours and information on the PEI Home Show, visit: www.peihomeshow.ca.

Smoke alarms are one of the best ways to prevent fire-related injuries or deaths. The Fire Department says they should be tested monthly, and replaced every 10 years.
For more fire prevention tips or information visit the Charlottetown Fire Department's page.